Rep. Alan Grayson, D-Florida, attracted attention for a tirade in the House against the GOP's health care plan.

NEW YORK (CNN)– Controversial freshman Rep. Alan Grayson, who has become famous for attacking the Republicans' health care plan, went on the attack again Friday night, calling former Vice President Dick Cheney a vampire for his recent criticism of the Obama administration's handling of the war in Afghanistan.

"I have trouble listening to what [Cheney] says sometimes because of the blood that drips from his teeth while he's talking," the Florida Democrat said on MSNBC's Hardball Friday night. "But my response is this: he's just angry because the president doesn't shoot old men in the face. But by the way, when he was done speaking, did he just then turn into a bat and fly away?"

In a hard-hitting, wide-ranging speechlast Wednesday, Cheney targeted the administration's decision-making process on how to proceed in Afghanistan, saying Obama has failed to give troops on the ground a clear mission or defined goals and appeared "afraid to make a decision."

"The White House must stop dithering while America's armed forces are in danger," Cheney said at the Center for Security Policy. "Make no mistake, signals of indecision out of Washington hurt our allies and embolden our adversaries."

In responding to Cheney's attack, White House press secretary Robert Gibbs on Thursday got in a jab of his own.

"What Vice President Cheney calls 'dithering,' President Obama calls his solemn responsibility to the men and women in uniform and to the American public," Gibbs said. "I think we've all seen what happens when someone doesn't take that responsibility seriously."

Grayson, a successful trial lawyer turned Congressman, shot to national fame - and notoriety - last month, when he took to the floor of the House of Representatives and dramatically described the GOP health care plan as: "Don't get sick, and if you do get sick, die quickly." He refused to apologize; Republicans say they'll mount a stiff challenge against him in his conservative-leaning district in 2010, but so far no one has come forward.

soundoff(247 Responses)

Butterfly

4 Palin October 24th, 2009 3:54 pm ET

Grayson is a disgrace to our country–he thinks that he is funny and that by acting this way he will gain support for himself. We don't need people as radical as he is leading our country. Our leaders should be examples of how we all should act. We are all adults and should never call each other names. This is not getting us anywhere, instead of trying to be a comedian, (and not too good of a one at that), he needs to LEAD and help find solutions for our problems as a country. Our country is more divided at this time than anytime that I can remember. If everyone don't stop bickering–only God knows where our precious country will end up. PLEASE put politics aside and do what is right!!!!!

Interesting comment considering you screen name. Your namsake Palin was not exactly the epitome of behaving like an adult. She brought new meaning to the politice of fear, bigotry and hate. Sad to see someone who can'e see the forest for the big Palin tree in the way.

October 24, 2009 05:13 pm at 5:13 pm |

billy

this guy is a fat uneducated pathetic idiot. Is there nothing else for the democratic party to do? healthcare, 2 wars, economy, etc? Oh wait, it's not their problem. let's just blame the country's problems on the bush administration and let the country go to hell in a handbag. Idiots.

October 24, 2009 05:14 pm at 5:14 pm |

shs

Evil man Dick Cheney deserves this kind of comment.

October 24, 2009 05:15 pm at 5:15 pm |

Nancy Grant

You keep making comment after comment after comment on the current administration's policies. Dick....Dick....Dick.....no one is listening to you. Your 15 minutes of fame are over. Do us all a favor and go away.....and take Haliburton with you.

Nancy Grant

October 24, 2009 05:15 pm at 5:15 pm |

Anonymous

DICK Cheney is the perfect example of what went wrong with American foreign policy over the last 8 years. His testosterone laden words sound like so much WWF or gangland chatter and are NOT the way to actually solve anything. Grayson should just step back. Cheney will inexorably sink under the weight of own words. Good riddance.

October 24, 2009 05:15 pm at 5:15 pm |

daniel

Thank God for Alan Grayson. He is saying what most people are thinking. I only wish I lived in his district so I can vote for him. I will send a campaign contribution.

October 24, 2009 05:15 pm at 5:15 pm |

Dave

Please.... do not insult vampires.

October 24, 2009 05:15 pm at 5:15 pm |

JAWBREAKER

Hey my conservative brothers and sisters, this is the up and coming star of the democrat party. Our sides hurt we are laughing so hard. Dont mind us dems, just keep on with your ignorance while we keep laughing at you!

October 24, 2009 05:15 pm at 5:15 pm |

paul

Bravo Rep. Grayson, don't forget, liar & douchebag also

October 24, 2009 05:16 pm at 5:16 pm |

John

Just another Democrat empty suit with nothing productive to say ... what a fool this person has made of himself ... just like his party's leader does every day.

October 24, 2009 05:16 pm at 5:16 pm |

Esther

I think we have seen more positive action from Obama in 10 months than we saw from Bush/Cheney in 8 years! Who took us to Afganistan, then turned their back anyway? As I recall, um, let's see.....oh, was that Bush/Cheney?? War Mongers I think is a good name for them both. GOOD RIDDANCE!

October 24, 2009 05:17 pm at 5:17 pm |

ags

I think Congressman Grayson owes an immediate apology - to all vampires!

October 24, 2009 05:17 pm at 5:17 pm |

Dave C - NJ

He's joking around on Hardball....hardly the floor of the Senate. Get over it. I hear the same type of stuff coming from the other side...seriously, who care? One side calls the others names...big deal. Stop the high horse crap. Senators have been beating each other up (literally in some cases) for hundreds of years.

Grayson is an embarrassment to either party, but more importantly, this country! His Don Rickles schtick is incredibly stale, especially when one considers that he has accomplished absolutely NOTHING on behalf of his constituency. Chunk this bozo out of office ASAP!

October 24, 2009 05:18 pm at 5:18 pm |

jeff

As a longtime Democrat, I appreciate the service Dick Cheney is giving my party with his never-ending advice. It only digs a deeper hole for Republicans.

All the military leaders have said that this period of reassessment is not endangering our position in Afghanistan.

We do not have the resources to occupy Afghanistan, either in terms of manpower or money. So that is not an option. Afghanistan has no functioning government or military or police. It would take many years and a lot of luck to train them in this backward society. Whether some small increase in troop strength will solve these problems is highly questionable.

I am sure a lot of my Republican friends would prefer that Cheney leave Washington. My own theory is that he is still playing defense to any effort to investigate or indict him, and will never leave.

October 24, 2009 05:20 pm at 5:20 pm |

daniel

I spent 6 years in the US Army from 1970 to 1976. How much time did Chaney spend in the military. He talks brave now, but he was never in the jungle getting shot at. Dithering?, give me a break, I only wish someone dithered before sending my ass to Viet-nam.

October 24, 2009 05:20 pm at 5:20 pm |

Howie

I am a native from Florida and I am sorry that the state sent this lugnut to represent us. Put him in the Michael More group. What a waco!!!!

October 24, 2009 05:20 pm at 5:20 pm |

Susie Que

Finally a bonifide Democrat with the cajones to fight fire with fire....It's about time!

October 24, 2009 05:21 pm at 5:21 pm |

Patriot

No wonder he hasn't been assassinated.......bullets won't work!

October 24, 2009 05:21 pm at 5:21 pm |

Mike

He's a democrat. He knows all about being a vampire. He and his bretheren are sucking the life blood out of this country.

October 24, 2009 05:22 pm at 5:22 pm |

B

Cheney is a has- been Hack that almost single-handedly destroyed this country and its image around the world.

I would like to see a- international poll- on what people around the world think of Cheney compared to Obama!